Teiction shock-absobbing mechanissr



Aug. 23, 1927.

J. F. OCoNNoR FRIGTION SHOCK ABsoRBING MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1924 2 shuts-snm 1 Aug.- 23, 1927.

J. F. OcoVNNoR FRICTIONQSHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Shut 2 Patented ug. 23, 1,1927. Y Y

vJorna- I. `oooiliut` 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, `assitance,` BYMESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro

. W. II MINER, INC., ACORPORAT'IDN ,OEDELAWARE FRICTION sIIocK-ABsoRiBING MECHANISM. l i

Application filed July- 21,

.This invention relates toimprovenients fiictioiishocl absorbing mechanisms. yfi

vio

One object of theinventioiiis toc provide. al'friction shock ,',absorbing mechanisml es- `aieciall yVada ted for i'ailwaif draft rifm'ines Cb C wherein.- a-reobtained light resistance during initial or preliminary lactionandf 'anl auto@A n'iatic change to aliig-h final :frictional resistance' during the. compression stroke, they light initial shocks during the preliminary action being absorbed ymainlyV by spring n resistanceieleinent and the heaviersliocks,

during thereniainder of the stroke, being absorbed by the combined action of said spring resistancev and' friction elements'. ,f

Another object of the invention is to` pic .y videin a mechanism of the character 1ndicated, a spring resisted wedge system includ-r ing friction vwedge slices reoacting with a een'- tral friction member having exterior friction surfaces, wherein Vthe wedge systein'is soarranged that during the initial action'and for a `predetermined portion'of the compression n stroke, the `frictionshoes areidirectly actuated' from' the usual maink follower of the gear independently of any. wedging action,

the wedge means subsequently being7 direct` ly actuated .with the lresult that a' wedgiiig` action is set up in the; wedge system effecd tively forcing thefriction'slioesagainstthe friction member during the remainder lof the compression stroke. c f.

`Other objects and advantages of the inyen- V- tion will more clearly andffully appearl from :ther desolpton k21nd Claims hereinafter fol-v lowing., i

Inr the drawingsforniing a part of 4this specification, Figurey l is a longitudinal, liorizontal, sectionalview V0f aportionv` of arail- '40 way draft rigging" vshowing"r my "improvenientsin connectiontherwfith.` Figure 2 is a front end, elevationalV View of theshock absorbing mechanism proper. And Figure 3' is, a Vertical, transverse, sectional View of the shock absorbing mechanism proper, correspending substantially tothe linevfBfof f Figure 1. p

yIn said drawings,10e-10Mindicate chanl i f nel-fsliaped centerrordraft sillsof arailwa-y car underfranie, to the inner faces of which fare secured'front stopA `lugs l11g-11 andi rear portion off the dra-wbar isindicated at 13;

the sanief lia-ying, operatively fassoci'ated',

transverse walls 16 and 17 to the rear walls friction post C Ais vprovided vfidedat theuinner end ofeachfof scribed v therewith a vyoke 14 of well-known; construe'- tionvwithin whichl is disposed the shock absorbing mechanismproper and ay front fol-r lower 15. The yoke andtlie parts, con-tained by ag detachablesaddleplate 16. n s

`The improvedtshock absorbingmechanism proper, as" shown, comprises afront wedge casting A; a rear follower casting B having a y friction therewith. three friction Wedgek shoes D'D; four stop members F; a, spring, resistance G; and, a pairof retainer bolts The frontwedge casting A is of hollow constructionV and comprises front-,and rear tion 18, intermediate ingA issuitably reinforced by plurality of webs 19K-L9 e-Xtendingfrom the front thereof. Asclearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, the shell vpo'ition .18 of the casting A isformed with plurality of true cylindricalinterior ,wedge faces 20 di- 'verging inwardly of the mechanism; there being preferablythree cylindrical faces 2O.Y

The front Wall 16 of lthe Icasting.Amis nor-v inally slightly spaced fromthefinner surface of the front followerl lfandisr adapted/to Vcoact therewith during,-k coinpressionzof! thevr mechanism.

TheVL rear ,followe feastingA B is vof general-v lyrectangular outline andghas the post` C fornfied;integra-l, therewithl as her-einhefoi'ee Y v v 'llhefollowerB isw'pronided l f witli a rear.wally 30 adapted tocoact Witlifth stop lugs-12 and a-sp'a'ced wolofV 21 laterally? projecting frornqthelrearendv'ofthe post lC;

ypointed out.'

post` member C formed ,integral i v anda shell porv sa-id walls'.y 'lhe .cast- Y and:entendingparallettosaidiearlwall. The I atj' the; forward end,thereof.` fwith threeequally spaced, radi! ally projecting arms'QQ,

tionk surfaces dii-'erging slightly `toward the krear end,y of the.' mechanism. shown V,in `Figure 1, shoulder Y vthereby providii'ig three' longitudinally disposed V-sliaped; fric-ff the friction 10c surfaces 23,2fory a purposehereinafter de`` i The @threefgriction f the for surface 123' adaptedi' to cooperate. witlifg'one' D, preferably i of castings-,1ere .0f-ihk@ Cft'mc tion, f each Lherring al, Masha-pedi innen.- frtiOIl A CJi tion shoes is provided with rearwardly and outwardly inclined cylindrical face 120 cooperating with one of the faces 2O of the front followerC and corresponding in angularity thereto as clearly shown in Figure 1.V At the inner end, each wedge shoe is cut away at the outer side thereof to provide a rearward extensionl and a transverse face Q5 adapted to form an abutment for the outer end of the main spring resistance G, the opposite end of said spring bearing on the web 21 of the rear follower member B. shown in Figure 1, the spring resistance surrounds the post and the forward end thereof receives the rearwardly projecting portions 125 of the shoes D.

yl`he stop members F are four in number, extend longitudinally of the mechanism and are located at the corners of the follower B, beingslidably mounted within bosses 26 formed on the web 21 of the rear follower B and bosses 27 on the wall 17 of the casting A and have their rear ends normally abutting bosses 9.8 on the wall 3() of the follower B and adapted to coact with abutments 29 on the wall 1G of the casting A. The stop members F are of such a length that the front ends thereof are normally spaced such a dis-rance from they abutments 29 as to limit the relative movement of the casting A with reference to the follower B when the mechanism is fully compressed7 the stop members F forming in effect stop columns by which the excess Vpressure is transmitted directly from the front follower through the casting A to the rear follower and the correspondingr stop lugs to prevent the main spring from being driven solid. l

The retainer bolts H are two in number and are arranged at opposite sides of the gear, midway of its height. Each bolt has the rear end t-hereof anchored tothe web 21 lof the rear follower casting and its front end anchored to the wall 17 of the casting A.

lVith the parts in normal position, as shown in Figure 1, it is evident that there will be no true wedging action from the wedge A to the shoesD until the wedge is engaged by the front follower. Consequently, as the compression stroke is ini-k tiated, the effect-ive resistance is provided solely by the spring G, with the addition of sncn slight friction as may be present, due to the shoes engaging the `friction surfaces of the shell, and stem C, and without any substantial or appreciable lateral pressure thereon. At this time, it will be noted that the actuating pressure is applied directly from the front follower to the outer ends of the shoes D and as'hereinbefore pointed out without any true wedging or spreading action. As the compression stroke continues, the friction shoes will be forced inwardly ofthe mechanism .and be spread apart as they travel inwardly the diverging exterior friction surface Q3 of the post C. During this action, the wedge faces 120 of the shoes and the wedge faces of the wedge A will be separated leaving the wedge substantially free until the forward end is engaged by front follower l5 and carried inwardly. This action continues muil the wedge faces of the shoes, due to the divergingr relation of the friction surface of the post, are brought into effective engagcmcl'. with the faces 20 of the wedge. At this stage of the compression stroke it is evident that there will be an automatic change from the initial, substantially pure spring resistance t plus such slight frictional resistance as may occur between the shoes and shell) to an augmented frictional resistance induced b the action of the wedge C co-operating with the friction wedge shoe D. As the compression stroke continues from this point on. the shoes will be made to separate still further and the differential action will cause the outer ends of the friction shoes to be withdrawn from contact with the follower' 15. lVlien the mechanism has been fully compressed, the front follower will be in engage ment with the outer wall 16 of the castin.' A and the abutments 29 will engage the outer ends of the stop members F and the actuating force will be transmitted directly through said members to the rear follower cast-ing B and corresponding stop lugs, as hereinafter pointed out. The parts are so proportioned that the inner ends of the friction wedge shoes D will engage theshoulders 24 on the post C, at the same time that the front follower engages the outer end of the post C and movement of the wedge incinber A is limited by the stop members F, all of these elements together forming a solid column to transmit the load. y

l have herein shown and described what l now consider the preferred manner of cariying out my invention. but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate `all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

l claim:

1. ln a friction shock absorbing.mechanism. the combination with a longitudinally disposed friction post having exterior friction surfaces, diverging inwardly of the mechanism; of a spring resistance; a plurality of friction shoes cooperatingr with said friction surfaces; and pressure transmitting wedge means, the latter being free from effective wedge engagement with said shoes under full release but adapted to have cooperative wedge action with said shoes as the compression stroke of the mechanisui takes place.' f

2411i a friction shock absorbing-mechanism, the combination with a longitudinally disposedr friction member having exterior friction surfaces, diverging inwardly of the ltlfi fil l ing-;longitudinfilly extending friction surfaces divergediii a direction lengthwise ot said member; of a springr resistance; a plu-1 aie-10,210 j niechanisnu of a spring` resistance ;.a plurality of friction slices cooperable withrsaid .friction v surfaces; .pressure .transmitting vsaid shoes-as the compressionstroke takes` iality of `wedge ffriction shoes frictionally cooperable with said surfaces and adapted to be `yieldingly resisted by said spring;

means for transferring the actuating pres. sure directly to said `shoes in a direction lengthwise of thev mechanism at the beginning of the compression stroke; and wedge means cooperable with said shoes after a predetermined amount ofthe compression stroke of the mechanism, the diverged forx mation of said friction surfaces of saidl member automatically inducing a change fron'ndirect application of the actuating pressure to said shoes to an application 0f i the actuating pressure through saidl wedge means during the compressionstroke. Y

ff. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism,rthe combination witha friction post having a plurality of longitudinally disposed friction surfaces diverging inwardly of the mechanism; of a spring resistance; a

`plurality of friction shoes' cooperablewith said friction surface; wedge means initially engaging said shoes and free from actuating pressure duringa predetermined initial portion of the' compression' stroke and,V adapted by the divergencev of the surfaces of the fric-` tion post` to directly receive the `actuating pressure during the remainder of the stroke to effect atrue wedging action on said slices.V

' Y '5. In afriction shock absorbing mechafnisiii, the combination with a longitudinally ldisposed friction member "havinga plurality of exterior frictionsurfaces diverging inwardly of the mechanism; a' spring resistc ,'aiice; wedge friction shoes coacting with said friction surfaces; means for transmitting the actuating pressure directly tolsaid Vslices at the beginning of the vcompression vstroke and moving the saine-inwardly on the rdiverging surfaces of the friction member,

thereby effecting al 'differential action; a`

. wedge coacting with said shoes; and means `and"actuated by the forfnormally holding said wedge spaced from' said means for transmitting ythe Aactuating pressure, said wedge being engaged pressure transmitting yiiieaiis' after a predetermined amount of compre on in the mechanism;` due to said 'differential action, effecting directv applicagagement' of the lShoes as the shoes travel inwardly of the Vdivergingfriction surfaces of said tion of the actuating force through thev wedge during the remainder. of the compressionstroke L f V 6; In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, tli'e'combinationwith a friction post having a plurality of l`longitudinally disposed, inwardlyldiverging friction surfaces;

of a springv resistance; wedge yfriction shoes coacting with said frictionsurfaces; means for transmitting' the actuating pressure dilect, to said shoes at ythe beginning of the compression stroke; a wedge member having interior, inwardly diverging yWedge faces cooperating Awith 'the wedge shoesfand .means for positively limiting theoutward movement' of the wedge with reference to u the post to normally hold the wedge spaced from the pressure transmitting means, said wedge being brought into engagement with said last named means and actuated thereby due tothe diverging arrangement of the friction surfaces of the post after a predetermined amount of compression ofthe mechanism.

k7. In av friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a main follower;

of a friction member having a plurality of lon itudinally disposed, exterior friction sur aces diverging inwardly of' the mechanism; of a spring resistance; a plurality of friction shoes cooperable with the frictionv surfaces of said -member vand adapted to engage said follower;

plurality-of wedge faces diverging inwardly of the mechanism cooperatingy with the coi'- respondiiig wedge faces of the shoes; andmeans for positively limiting the outward' Amovement of said wedge `with reference to the friction member to maintain the outer end ofthe wedgeV spaced a predetermined distance Vfrom said `main follower when the mechanism is in fullrelease, whereby said wedge is initiallyr free from actuating pressure, but is adaptedftobe engaged by said follower aftera predetermined amount of compression to effect cooperating vwedge enfaces of said wedge and member. 8.-In' a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a main follower; i

ofav frictionpost'having a pluralityof longia wedge having av ai l lill) tudinally disposed friction surfaces 'divergi ing inwardly yof the mechanism; a spring resistance a plurality of friction shoesfnor.- Vmally engaged by said follower,

each shoe having an outercylindrical wedge face and;

yan inner fiat friction surface; a. wedge hav- Y ing a pluralityof cylindrical wedge:y faces cooperating with the wedge *faces of the shoes v;' and means for positively limiting the outward movement of said wedge and main-y taining the outer end thereof spaced inf wardly from the outer ends ofy said shoes f fwhen the mechanism is in full release, said sets of Wedge faces automatically becoming effectively engaged as the shoes and Wedge travel inwardly of the mechanism, the outer ends of the friction shoes simultaneously being withdrawn from engagement with said main follower.

S). In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear followers; of a central friction post fixed with reference to one of said followers and movable with reference to the other followe' and having the free end thereof normally spaced from said lust named follower und adapted to be engaged thereby upon full compression of the mechanism, said post having a plurality of exterior friction surfaces; a lurality of friction shoes engaged by said Ilast named follower, each of said shoes cooperating with one of said post friction surfaces; a spring resistance; wedge pressure transmitting means cooperable with said shoes, said shoes and wedge pressure transmitting means having a p1urality of cooperating sets of wedge faces; and means on said post for limiting the inward movement of said shoes upon engagement of said post by the follower which is movable relatively thereto.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of July, 1924.

' JOHN F. OCONNOR. 

